William "The Marshal", Earl of Pembroke and Striguil, Lord of Leinster, and Regent of England
Born [abt.1146] in England
Died May 14, 1219 at Caversham, England
Buried at the Temple Church in London, Greater London, England
Married
Isabel de Clare in August, 1189 in London, England
Notes:
1151/52 - Age five or so was demanded as hostage for his fathers good behavior by King Stephen after his father rebelled in support of Stephen's rival for the throne Empress Mathilda. William was known as an intelligent, cheerful and inquisitive child that won the heart of King Stephen, who could not bring himself to kill the boy. William lived apparently for about a year in and around the court of Stephen, until eventually [1153] a settlement was agreed upon between Stephen and Matilda that Mathilda's son Henry be named as Stephen's sucessor and William could be returned home to his mother.
1158/60 - Age 12-14 or so (John Marshal had fallen out of favor with King Henry II, and while his older sons had been provided for inheritance wise, William was not) William was sent to his mother's cousin William of Tankarville, Chamberlain of Normandy to begin his training as a knight. The Tankarville household was known in its day as the premier place for military training. Young aristocrats in that time would know hunting, hawking, discipline in arms and how to sing. He would have also learned.. courtly diplomacy.
William's father John dies late summer of 1165, leaving all his wealth divided between his two eldest surviving sons - William's half-brother Gilbert and brother John. Gilbert dies a few months after his father leaving John the sole inheritor.
William was knighted in 1166 while on campaign in Normandy under his master William of Tankarville with very little pomp and ceremony. In 1167 William of Tankarville took him to his first tournament, where he found his calling as it were. William soon quit the household of Tankarville and went to work for his mother's brother Patrick the Earl of Salisbury.
1168 the Earl of Salisbury and retinue had the mission of escorting Queen Eleanor to govern Poiteau. At some point the party was ambushed by Lusignans (who were fighting for the territory) and Earl Patrick was killed before William's eyes. The Queen was rushed off to safety but William was injured, taken captive and held for ransom. Of course his captors had no way of knowing how poor he actually was. Eventually his plight was brought to the attention of Queen Eleanor and she bought his freedom. William spent the next two years in the household of the Queen and winning tournaments as none were his equal. In 1170 he became tutor and knight companion to John and Eleanor's son Henry the newly crowned 15 year old associate king.
William made many lifelong friends in the companions and household of the Young King, and his rise to power and fame, combined with his charm and good looks caused much speculation in regards to women and some outright slander. William's careful temperment and reputation for loyalty and service overcame the slander and he was regarded with high esteem the rest of his life.
William served in the households of four kings over his lifetime, and with the last became Regent of England. At age 43 he was given a wife, 17 year old Isabel de Clare and, with grant from the King became Earl of Pembroke. William and Isabel got on quite well apparently and had ten children together. William owned many properties by grant of King and quite a few of his own purchase over his lifetime. He rose from no land or inheritance to eventually become one of the wealthiest men in England.
He fame at tourney in his time was similar to that of a celebrity/rock star of our age. He became a venerable man of honor and well respected in his elder years, known simply as 'The Marshal'.
Children of William and Isabel Marshal:
Siblings of William Marshall:
half-brothers Gilbert and Walter,
John Marshal
, Henry Marshal, Ancel Marshal, Sibella Marshal, Margaret Marshal
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Robert (Rollo) of Cheddar |
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Gilbert Marshal FitzRobert |
Aline Pipard |
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Robert FitzRolf de Venoix |
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John Marshal FitzGilbert |
Margaret [unknown] |
Mary de Venoix |
| William Marshal |
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Sibella of Salisbury |
Walter d'Evreux |
Edward of Salisbury |
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Matilda FitzHubert |
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Sibella of Chaworth |
Patrick of Chaworth |
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Matilda of Hesdin |
